Parameters of evaluation of zinc nutritional status: comparison between zinc hair rates and serum alkaline phosphatase in pre-scholars of the Municipality of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba
Silva Santana, S.C. da; Diniz, A. da S.; Lola, M.M. de F.; Oliveira, R.S. de; Silva, S.M.M.; Oliveira, S.F. de; Kolsteren, P.
Revista Brasileira de Saude Materno Infantil 2(3): 275-282
2002
Document Number: 263934
Objectives: to evaluate the nutritional status of zinc in children from two to five years old, institutionalized in daycare centres in the Municipality of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil. Methods: a systematic random sample comprised of 377 children. The nutritional status of zinc was evaluated according to the following parameters: mineral concentrations in the hair and enzymatic activity levels of serum alkaline phosphatase. Results: inadequate zinc concentrations prevalence in the hair was of 61.9% with predominance in the form of severe deficiency, 38.5%. Prevalence of inadequate concentrations of levels of serum alkaline phosphatase activity was 40.1%. Zinc concentrations in the hair did not correlatated with serum alkaline phosphatase (r=0.01; p=0.882). According to sex and age zinc distribution in the hair was homogenous. The alkaline phosphatase had identical behaviour. Conclusions: zinc deficiency is extremely high in the municipality of Joao Pessoa.